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This guide will help you fix the Apple Watch not connecting to your iPhone issue.
The Apple Watch is a great accessory for any iPhone user. It comes with many different features, but the one that really stands out is its ability to notify the user of texts, emails, and phone calls without the need for their phone. This is because the Apple Watch relies on your phone for connectivity and if it is not connected to the phone, then it will be unable to receive notifications, messages, or calls from your iPhone.
Apple Watch, on the other hand, cannot send recorded data such as steps, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and so on back to the iPhone.
It will be a huge drawback because you cannot maximize the function of your Apple Watch.
Hence, you need to learn how to make your Apple Watch connected to your iPhone again. Check out the following steps.
4 Easy Steps to Fix Your Apple Watch not Connecting to Your iPhone
Step 1: Restart Apple Watch
The first and simplest step to fixing your Apple Watch not connecting to your iPhone is to restart it.
It helps you get rid of almost any problems on your device instantly.
To restart your Apple Watch, do the instructions below:
1. Press and hold the side button for a few seconds.
2. Slide the Power Off to the left to shut down your device.
3. After it’s off, press and hold down the side button until the Apple logo appears.
Force Restart your Apple Watch
In case your Apple Watch is not responding, you can try to force restart your device.
To force restart your Apple Watch, follow the steps below:
1. Press and hold down both the side button and Digital Crown for 10 seconds.
2. Release the buttons when the Apple logo appears on the screen.
Wait until the system is ready, and then try to connect it with your iPhone.
Move to the next step if your Apple Watch is still not connecting to your iPhone.
Step 2: Check the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections
If your Apple Watch is not connecting to your iPhone, you can check on the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections on both of your devices via the Control Center.
To open the Control Center, touch and hold down the bottom of the Apple Watch screen. The Control Center will appear, then swipe up to see all features.
Try to turn off the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and then turn them back on. Also, make sure that the Flight mode is switched off.
Press the Digital Crown to close the Control Center.
Step 3: Unpair and re-pair Apple Watch
Before you proceed, please note that unpairing your Apple Watch will restore it back to the factory settings.
Besides, all content and settings on your Apple Watch will be removed if you unpair it. Also, you won’t be able to create a backup as your Apple Watch is not connected to your iPhone.
Unpair Apple Watch
If you understand the risks that you are going through, do the following steps to unpair your Apple Watch.
1. On your Apple Watch, go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
2. Insert your password to confirm.
3. If you are using a GPS + Cellular model, choose to keep your plan as you will pair it to your iPhone later on.
4. Tap Erase All to reset your Apple Watch to the factory settings as well as unpair it.
Pair your Apple Watch
After you unpair your Apple Watch, it’s time to pair it back with your iPhone.
1. Turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on your iPhone and Apple Watch.
2. Put your Apple Watch and iPhone close to each other. After a few seconds, you should see a message on your iPhone saying “Use your iPhone to set up this Apple Watch”.
3. Tap Continue.
4. If you don’t see the message, open the Watch app on your iPhone and go to All Watches > Pair New Watch.
5. Select Set Up for Myself.
6. Place your Apple Watch in the frame as shown in the animation on your iPhone. If you do it correctly, you’ll see a message saying your Apple Watch is paired.
If no pairing animation shows up on your iPhone or your iPhone cannot detect your Apple Watch, select Pair Apple Watch Manually and follow the steps on-screen.
7. If you have a backup on your iPhone, select Restore from Backup. On the other hand, if you have no backup, tap Set Up as New Apple Watch. Then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
Step 4: Update to the latest software
It is important to update your devices because updates may contain bug fixes and security enhancements that will improve the performance of your device.
Basically, when there is an update, you will get an alert on your iPhone. It says, “Your Apple Watch software is out of date.” Then, you can download and install the update.
However, you can also check the update manually in 2 ways: using your iPhone or directly from your Apple Watch.
Whichever method you choose, make sure that your Apple Watch is 50% charged before proceeding.
Update Apple Watch from iPhone
1. Unlock your iPhone and tap the Apple Watch app to open it.
2. Tap My Watch > General > Software Update.
3. Download the update. Insert the PIN code if prompted.
4. Leave your Apple Watch until the update is complete.
Update directly from Apple Watch
Your Apple Watch should have watchOS 6 or later to do install updates without iPhone.
1. Connect your Apple Watch to Wi-Fi.
2. Tap Settings > General > Software Update.
3. Tap Install if an update is available.
4. Leave your Apple Watch until the update is complete.
If none of the methods above work, contact Apple Support.
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